Billionaire Les Wexner to Face Congressional Probe on Epstein Ties

Wexner's long-standing relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to be scrutinized in closed-door deposition

Feb. 20, 2026 at 11:31pm

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Billionaire retail magnate Les Wexner, the retired founder of L Brands, will face a closed-door congressional deposition on Wednesday regarding his decades-long friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Wexner has already spent years answering for their association, with prominent Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre claiming in court documents that Wexner was one of the men Epstein trafficked her to. Wexner has consistently denied any knowledge of or involvement in Epstein's crimes, but newly released Justice Department documents have raised further questions about their relationship.

Why it matters

Wexner's close ties to Epstein have long been a source of controversy, with the billionaire facing increased pressure from sexual assault survivors in the wake of new revelations about their relationship. The congressional probe is expected to shed more light on the extent of Wexner's involvement with Epstein and the fallout he continues to face as a result of their association.

The details

The deposition will focus on Wexner's long-time friendship with Epstein, which began around 1986 when the two men were introduced through a business associate. Over the next couple of years, Wexner turned over the management of his vast fortune to Epstein, giving him power of attorney in 1991 and allowing him to make investments, conduct business deals, and purchase property. However, the relationship later unraveled, with Wexner severing ties in 2007 after discovering that Epstein had misappropriated "vast sums" of his and his family's fortune. Newly released documents have revealed further details about the nature of their relationship, including Epstein's claims that they had "gang stuff" for over 15 years and were mutually indebted to each other.

  • The closed-door congressional deposition is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Wexner and Epstein's relationship began around 1986 when they were introduced through a business associate.
  • Wexner gave Epstein power of attorney in 1991, allowing him to manage Wexner's vast fortune.
  • Wexner severed ties with Epstein in 2007 after discovering that Epstein had misappropriated "vast sums" of his and his family's fortune.
  • Wexner emailed Epstein on June 26, 2008, after Epstein's plea deal was announced, saying "Abigail told me the result... all I can say is I feel sorry. You violated your own number 1 rule...always be careful."

The players

Les Wexner

The 88-year-old retired founder of L Brands, a billionaire retail magnate who had a decades-long friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late sex offender and millionaire financier who had a long-standing relationship with Les Wexner, during which time Epstein managed Wexner's vast fortune.

Virginia Giuffre

A prominent victim of Jeffrey Epstein who claimed in court documents that Wexner was one of the men Epstein trafficked her to.

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What they’re saying

“Epstein had 'excellent judgment and unusually high standards,' Wexner told Vanity Fair in a 2003 interview, and he was 'always a most loyal friend.'”

— Les Wexner

“Abigail told me the result... all I can say is I feel sorry. You violated your own number 1 rule...always be careful.”

— Les Wexner

“no excuse.”

— Jeffrey Epstein

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Les Wexner to testify in the congressional probe.

The takeaway

This congressional investigation into Wexner's relationship with Epstein is expected to further scrutinize the billionaire's ties to the late sex offender, raising new questions about the extent of Wexner's involvement and the ongoing fallout he faces from their association.